HS GOLF: Andrews celebrates as state champions return home

Len Hayward | lhayward@mrt.com

Published 5:14 pm, Sunday, May 5, 2013

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

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Members of the Andrews girls golf team from left, Hailey Burgen, Sarah Black, Payten Payne and Brittney Lambert are greeted by fans during a return celebration for the Andrews boys and girls golf teams Saturday after winning the state championship tournament. James Durbin/Reporter-Telegram less

Members of the Andrews girls golf team from left, Hailey Burgen, Sarah Black, Payten Payne and Brittney Lambert are greeted by fans during a return celebration for the Andrews boys and girls golf teams Saturday ... more

Photo: JAMES DURBIN

HS GOLF: Andrews celebrates as state champions return home

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ANDREWS -- This year, the celebration at home was much better for Andrews High School golfer Josh Baltzell and his teammates.

The Mustangs boys squad had equaled their girls counterparts with a Class 3A state championship on Friday in Austin, and had returned to town with the same trophy the girls received for their victory this year -- the trapezoidal UIL championship trophy.

As the trophies were proudly displayed on the hood of an Andrews ISD vehicle during a celebration Saturday evening in front of the high school, Baltzell and his teammates, along with the girls soaked in what they had accomplished.

The two teams won the Andrews golf program's 14th and 15th state championship on Friday in Austin, but the bigger accomplishment was both winning in the same year. It's only the second time it's been done in the history of the storied golf program, and first since 1987.

And for Baltzell, it was quite different from a year when the girls returned with a state championship trophy and the boys fell short of doing it by one stroke and watched as the girls celebrated.

"It's great, and it hasn't been since like 1987 when both teams won," said Baltzell, who shot a final round 77 on Friday, which was key to the boys' one-stroke victory over Argyle. "But we've never been able to both get it done. The girls are studs and might win it next year, I don't know. But for us to win it with them it's great. We've got three great coaches, and it's great to do it."

The boys squad won by one stroke over Argyle in a tournament that featured plenty of tense moments, and Baltzell admitted he wasn't sure they won until the tournament leader sticker was posted on the scoreboard at Jimmy Clay Golf Course.

Meanwhile, the girls squad won by a 45 strokes over rival Snyder, ending what had become a big day for Andrews.

"I was really excited," said sophomore Hailey Burgen of the boys winning. "At first I was upset because I had heard (the boys) lost, but when I heard they won I was excited. I played a little bit better."

In town on Friday during the final round, there were some anxious moments for a golf community that was waiting to hear word on both teams as they received infrequent updates on the UIL website and through texts.

Andrews County Golf Course assistant professional Jared Wescoat said a number of people were in and out of the pro shop on Friday, getting updates, especially on the boys tournament. Even when updates were hard to come by, Wescoat said people still stuck around waiting for word from Austin.

"Our head pro (Tommy Darland) was down in Austin and he was giving us feedback," Wescoat said. "It was just amazing to see how many people came into the shop and were willing to sit there for an hour and half waiting for an update, just to see where they were at."

And when word finally reached the pro shop that both teams had won, Wescoat said some people jumped in their golf carts to tell those playing on the course that the teams had won.

"It was a crazy day," Wescoat said. "It's a great time to be here."

Many of those same people in town waiting on word mixed with people who also made the trip to Austin last week for the tournament.

For those in attendance at Saturday's celebration, the dual state titles were a validation of not only the hard work that the players and coaches put in to reach the goal, but also how the community supports its local athletes.

"Andrews is known for a golf program here, but we've got a great all around athletic program," said Bill Morrison, the father of junior boys player G.K. Morrison, who shot a 74 on Friday. "Andrews is a very well-rounded school. There is no pressure to play other sports. Coach (Ralph) Mason, our athletic director this year, he wants the kids to focus on what they want to do and pursue their dreams, and that's big here in Andrews."

Now comes the hard part, and that's repeating what happened this year.